AUDIOBYTE Hydra Z User manual

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z usb audio bridge
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
Thank you for buying the Audiobyte Technologies Hydra Z digital to digital converter.
You have now one of the finest USB audio interfaces available on the market. The
Hydra Z was designed to give you countless hours of musical enjoyment.
Safety Precautions:
1) This device is meant for indoor use only.
2) Protect device from excessive heat, humidity and liquid filled objects, such as
vases.
3) Clean only with dry cloth.
4) Use earth grounded outlet if applicable.
5) Do not move the device while operational.
6) Lightning or static electricity can affect normal operation of the apparatus. Make
sure that it is unplugged during a thunderstorm. If the device is affected by one
of these conditions and stops behaving as it should, a power reset usually
resumes it’s normal operation.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION :
USB to digital audio converter (one input, 6 outputs) and clock generator. Outputs are : S/PDIF RCA,
S/PDIF BNC , AES/EBU, Toslink, I2S (LVDS), BNC Wordclock or Masterclock.
FRONT VIEW DIAGRAM:
1) LED signaling that external power is present
2) LED signaling that usb power is present (no external power)
3) LED signaling that PCM audio data is detected
4) LED signaling that DSD audio data is detected
BACK VIEW DIAGRAM:
1) WORDCLOCK or MASTERCLOCK output BNC (see special settings section)
2) S/PDIF BNC output

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
3) S/PDIF RCA output
4) AES/EBU output
5) I2S/LVDS output (HDMI connector, see next section for settings)
6) TOSLINK output
7) DC power input (5v dc, do not exceed 6v dc)
8) USB input (USB 2.0, type B)
Supported sample rates/clocks :
SPDIF & AES/EBU outputs : 44.1KHz –192 KHz PCM, DSD64 via DoP
I2S output : 44.1 KHz –384 KHz PCM , DSD64-256 native
TOSLINK output : 44.1KHz –96 KHz PCM
WORDCLOCK : 44.1KHz –384 KHz (depending on the sample clock of the played material)
MASTERCLOCK : 22.5792 or 24.576 MHz (idem with the above statement)
PHASE NOISE , WORDCLOCK : - 114 dBc/Hz @ 10 Hz
Note : all outputs are active simultaneously. Masterclock available on the I2S output can be set with
internal jumper J22. BNC wordclock or masterclock output setting can be altered with internal
jumper J23. DSD to PCM conversion can be enabled with jumper J21 assuming you have firmware
1.06 or more. See section “HYDRA Z special settings”.
POWERING UP
1) In order to use Hydra Z, installation of drivers is necessary in Windows environment.
Please choose from the driver package available for download what fits your version of Windows.
ASIO package is available. For Mac and Linux users, the device is recognized natively (no drivers are
needed).
2) Connect your Hydra Z to a computer using a proper USB cable. The power USB led (“2”
from the front view diagram) will turn on. The default data led (“3” from the front view diagram)
will turn on. You are now ready to use your unit, after you will make the proper settings in your
playback software or OS environment.
3) You can optionally connect a external power supply to the DC input socket(“7” from the
back view diagram). It can be either Hydra Z-PM (Z Power Module, recommended) or any low noise
5Vdc power supply, minimum 0.5A. The DC socket center pin is 2.35 mm type. When external power
is applied, the power USB led (“2” from the front view diagram) will turn off and the EXT power led
(“1” from the front view diagram) will turn on.
SPECIFICATIONS, SOFTWARE
Hydra Z will support currently maximum sample rates of 384 KHz on PCM and 11.2 MHz
(DSD256) on DSD. On DSD material, both native DSD stream and encoded over PCM (DoP) are
available. The native DSD stream is available over I2S output, while DoP is available over S/PDIF
(RCA or BNC) and AES/EBU outputs. DSD over PCM (DoP) available rates are DSD64 and DSD128.
Recommended software player list :

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
1) Foobar2000
2) Jriver18+
3) Jplay
4) Audiogate
5) Audirvana Plus
Under WinXP environment, kernel streaming (KS) is recommended for PCM, and ASIO
(native or ASIO4ALL) for DSD playback. Under W7/8 environment, WASAPI or ASIO mode is
recommended for both PCM and DSD playback.
For MacOS, first set your output sound device as Hydra Z (in System Preferences –Sound –
Output). In Audio MIDI setup - Hydra Z device, set oversampling ratio at maximum 192 KHz.
HYDRA Z special SETTINGS
For extended compatibility with the dacs available, there are some hardware settings that can
be altered via the internal jumpers. In order to reach the jumpers, top cover must be removed.
Please use appropriate screwdriver (cross type) to remove the 4 top screws. After you removed the
top cover, you can find on the right of the board a set of jumpers noted J21….J26.
For jumper settings, see below. Make sure that you have the latest firmware uploaded in your
Hydra Z. Present settings are for firmware 1.06. If you have no sound or distorted sound over the I2S
output, alter J22 or J24..26 setting.
J21 –enables DSD to PCM conversion on all outputs except I2S
J22 –I2S output masterclock (MCLK) frequency : open 45.1584/49.152 MHz, closed
22.5792/24.576 MHz
J23 –WCLK BNC output setting (back view diagram “1”): open for WCLK output ; closed for
MCLK output
J24 –I2S output serial data polarity (SDATA)
J25 –I2S output wordclock polarity (WCLK)
J26 - I2S output bitclock polarity (BCLK)

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
HYDRA Z UPDATE PROCEDURE
The Hydra Z can be easily updated via the it’s usb input. All that is needed is to play bitperfect
the special wav update track , provided on the product page. First , go to
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z and download the file under the “Latest Firmware”. Extract
the wav file from the zip. You need to play the file bitperfect (without any fade-in or fade out, or any
kind of volume processing). A reliable way to do it is via Foobar2000, via Kernel Streaming or
WASAPI. The volume on Foobar must be set at maximum (0 dB). The update will not happen
in 2 conditions :
1) If playback is not bitperfect
2) If the internal version of the Hydra Z is the same with the version of the wav file.
Assuming that version is different and playback is bitperfect, when the file is played, the
update will start and the pcm and dsd leds from the front panel will start to flash alternatively
during the procedure. When update is done, both leds will remain on. The Hydra must be manually
restarted to initialize with the new firmware.
Note : in case the update starts (pcm and dsd leds will flash alternatively) but in the end they will
not remain on, but will continue to flash even if the update track is terminated, the update is not
successful. This means probably your playback software is fading out the volume, not allowing
the confirmation marker to pass through. You need to change your playback setup or settings of
your player.
USB Driver Installation Details (Windows XP 32/64, Windows 7 32/64)
Do not connect the USB cable to the computer before driver installation. If you have already
connected the board to the PC, click Cancel on the screen that has showed up and remove the USB
cable.
1. Go to product’s page : http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z
2. Download the Hydra Z Win XP, W7, W8, Vista compatible drivers.
3. Unpack zip archive.
4. Enter your OS folder.
5. Launch Setup32.exe for 32bit OS or Setup64.exe for 64bit OS.
6. After the application launches, click Next:

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
7. Wait for the driver to be copied and then click Finish:
8. Connect the USB to I2S adapter to the PC. In the dialog below, select “No, not this time” and then
click “Next”.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
9. In the new window select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next”.
10. Click the “Continue Anyway” button.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
11. Wait for the files to be copied and click “Finish”.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
AUDIOBYTE LIMITED WARRANTY
TWO (2) YEARS
WARRANTY COVERAGE:
AUDIOBYTE warranty obligation is limited to
the terms set forth below.
WHO IS COVERED:
Audiobyte warrants the product to the original
purchaser or the person receiving the product
as a gift against defects in materials and
workmanship as based on the date of original
purchase(“Warranty Period”) from an
Authorized Dealer. The original sales receipt
showing the product name and the purchase
date from an authorized retailer is considered
such proof.
WHAT IS COVERED:
The Audiobyte warranty covers new products if
a defect arises and a valid claim is received by
Audiobyte within the Warranty Period. At its
option, Audiobyte will either (1) repair the
product at no charge, using new or refurbished
replacement parts, or (2)exchange the product
with a product that is new or which has been
manufactured from new, or serviceable used
parts and is at least functionally equivalent or
most comparable to the original product in
Audiobyte current inventory, or (3) refund the
original purchase price of the product.
Audiobyte warrants replacement products or
parts provided under this warranty against
defects in materials and workmanship from the
date of the replacement or repair for ninety
(90) days or for the remaining portion of the
original product’s warranty, whichever
provides longer coverage for you. When a
product or part is exchanged, any replacement
item becomes your property and the replaced
item becomes Audiobyte’s property. When a
refund is given, your product becomes
Audiobyte’s property.
Note: Any product sold and identified as
refurbished or renewed carries a ninety (90)
day limited warranty. Replacement product can
only be sent if all warranty requirements are
met. Failure to follow all requirements can
result in delay.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED - EXCLUSIONS AND
LIMITATIONS:
This Limited Warranty applies only to the new
products manufactured by or for Audiobyte
that can be identified by the trade-mark, trade
name, or logo affixed to it. This Limited
Warranty does not apply to any non-Audiobyte
hardware product or any software, even if
packaged or sold with the product. Non-
Audiobyte manufacturers, suppliers, or
publishers may provide a separate warranty for
their own products packaged with the bundled
product. Audiobyte is not liable for any damage
to or loss of any programs, data, or other
information stored on any media contained
within the product, or any non-Audiobyte
product or part not covered by this warranty.
Recovery or reinstallation of programs, data or
other information is not covered under this
Limited Warranty.
This warranty does not apply (a) to damage
caused by accident, abuse, misuse,
misapplication, or non-Audiobyte product, (b)
to damage caused by service performed by
anyone other than Audiobyte or Audiobyte
Authorized Service Location, (c) to a product or
a part that has been modified without the
written permission of Audiobyte, or (d) if any
Audiobyte serial number has been removed or
defaced, or (e) product, accessories or
consumables sold “AS IS” without warranty of
any kind by including refurbished Audiobyte
product sold “AS IS” by some retailers.
This Limited Warranty does not cover:
• Shipping charges to return defective product
to Audiobyte.
• Labor charges for installation or setup of the
product, adjustment of customer controls on
the product, and installation or repair of
antenna systems outside of the product.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
• Product repair and/or part replacement
because of improper installation, connections
to improper voltage supply, abuse, neglect,
misuse, accident, unauthorized repair or other
cause not within the control of Audiobyte.
• Damage or claims for products not being
available for use, or for lost data or lost
software.
• Damage occurring to product during shipping.
• A product that requires modification or
adaptation to enable it to operate in any
country other than the country for which it was
designed, manufactured, approved and/or
authorized, or repair of products damaged by
these modifications.
• A product used for commercial or
institutional purposes (including but not
limited to rental purposes).
• Product lost in shipment and no signature
verification receipt can be provided.
• Failure to operate per Owner’s Manual.
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
FOR THE CONSUMER. AUDIOBYTE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS
PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ON THIS PRODUCT IS LIMITED
IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow the exclusions or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or
allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusions may
not apply to you.

AUDIOBYTE TECHNOLOGIES
HYDRA Z Owner’s Manual
Document version and performed modifications:
Version
Date
Description
1.00
02-01-2015
Initial release